It’s been a special year for Newberry athletics.

The Newberry boys basketball team won districts for the first time since 2004, and they were 24-0 before losing at home against Florida High (Tallahassee) in the 3A-Region 1 Semifinals.

The Panthers’ top three scorers were named to the 2025 Bosshardt Realty All Area big school teams (Class 3A-6A).

Juwan Scippio, a 6’4” guard, made the first team backcourt after averaging 11.8 points and 2.4 steals per game. He was third with 4.2 rebounds per game.

“Juwan is a gifted offensive player who is able to change his game into whatever the team needs,” said Newberry coach Patrick Green. “There were several times when Juwan was counted on to get defensive stops or steals or crucial rebounds to help us win games. One notable game was the putback shot at the buzzer to beat two-time defending 1A champions Williston Red Devils at their place.”

Joining him on the first team is his teammate Logan McCloud (6’2, 215).

The Wofford football signee averaged 9.4 points and a team-best 6.5 rebounds as a forward/center.

“Logan was the glue to our team,” Green said. “He did so many things that didn’t show up on the stat sheets. When he had to miss a game for football visits, we all felt his absence.  Logan really loves his teammates and would sacrifice everything to see them succeed.”

GHS had one player on each team, including senior forward Cornelius White (6’7, 234) on the first team after leading the Hurricanes to a district title and a spot in the second round of the FHSAA Class 5A state playoffs.

White, who will be playing at Santa Fe College, led the Hurricanes (21-8) with 15.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. He shot 53.8% from the floor and 33.9% from beyond the arc.

“Corn led us in scoring, rebounding and was our best shooter from three and the free throw line,” said GHS coach Mike Barnes. “He was very versatile and could score in a variety of ways, both in the low post and on the perimeter. He was great to coach these past two years. We will have some big shoes to fill with him graduating.”

Rounding out the first team are junior guard/forward AJ Hall of Santa Fe (Alachua) and senior forward/center Zavian Douglas of Columbia (Lake City).

Hall (6’5, 189) led the Raiders (17-11), who won the Class 4A-District 5 championship, to a 53-51 win against Liberty (Kissimmee) in the first round of the 4A state playoffs by scoring a game-high 25 points.

He finished first in scoring (12.2 ppg.), assists (2.2), blocks (0.6) and free throw percentage (78%).

“AJ is a very special talent who hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential,” said Santa Fe coach Glen Banks. “He led our team in just about every statistical category. We have had several special basketball players come through our program and he is next in line. He is a three-year letterman at Santa Fe and in this day and age it’s rare for kids to stay at one school. He is born and raised in the city of Alachua and he represents the city well.”

Douglas (6’6, 215) led the Tigers (16-11) in a number of categories, including scoring (12.5), rebounding (7.3), field goal percentage (57%), blocks (0.7), and free throw percentage (67%).

“Zavian had a great year for us,” said Columbia coach Steve Faulkner. “The progression he has made from his junior year to his senior year has been really fun to watch. He really dedicated himself to getting better in the offseason, and it showed by his play this season. Zavian was front and center of the success we had this season.”

Newberry and GHS each placed a player on the second team.

Junior guard Henry Matthias was second on the Panthers with 9.6 points per game. He led Newberry with an 85% free-throw percentage and 40 3-pointers.

“Henry is a great shooter who can score from mid-range or 3-pointers land,” Green said. “He has made a name for himself and has become a fan favorite due to his ability to get hot from the 3-point line. This year Henry hit eight 3-pointers against one our rivals and set the gym on fire.”

Cornelius White’s brother, junior guard/forward Cordarius White (6’5, 186), finished second in scoring for the Hurricanes with 10.6 points per game.

“Darius had some big games for us this year,” Barnes said. “He hit some difficult, contested shots vs Williston that helped us win that game. I think as the season progressed, he became more comfortable handling the ball and knowing when to try and assert himself more in games. This showed in the playoffs.”

He also grabbed 5.3 rebounds per game.

“Over his last four games, he averaged 17.5 points and close to eight rebounds per game,” Barnes said. “Darius has been working hard in the offseason and will have an even bigger role here at GHS next year with the graduation of our five seniors.”

Bradford (Starke) placed a pair on the second team in 5’10 sophomore guard Maliki Cobarris, and sophomore guard/forward Jordan Cason.

Cobarris led the 3A-District 3 runners-up with 16.1 points and 4.4 assists per game.

“Maliki is a player that every coach would want on their team,” said Bradford coach Tarrin Jackson. “Maliki is a great player but an even better person off the court and that’s what makes him so special. He is a leader who leads by words and actions, he was the leader and motor to this team.”

Cason (6’1, 185) was second on the Tornadoes (16-5) with 12.3 points and he led Bradford with 8.0 rebounds per game.

“A true competitor,” Jackson said. “Jordan is a hard worker and does whatever he has to do to help the team win. Jordan has the ability to take over a game on both sides of the floor at any time with his ability to play and defend the 1-5 positions.”

Rounding out the second team is junior forward/center Evan Walker (6’3, 220) of Buchholz.

Walker was second in scoring (8.5) for the Bobcats (13-12) and led with 5.4 rebounds per game.

“Evan is a great kid who works his tail off,” said Bucholz coach Elliot Harris. “He’s a relentless rebounder and he provides toughness to our team. With everything he does on the field and court, he’s just as relentless in the classroom, boasting a 4.4 GPA.”

BOYS – BIG SCHOOL (3A-6A) (1st Team)

G – Juwan Scippio, Newberry (JR)

G/F – AJ Hall, Santa Fe (JR)

F – Cornelius White, Gainesville (SR)

F/C – Zavian Douglas, Columbia (SR)

F/C – Logan McCloud, Newberry (SR)

BOYS – BIG SCHOOL (3A-6A) (2nd Team)

G – Maliki Cobarris, Bradford (SO)

G – Henry Matthias, Newberry (JR)

G/F – Cordarius White, Gainesville (JR)

G/F – Jordan Cason, Bradford (SO)

F/C – Evan Walker, Buchholz (JR)

Honorable mention:

Bradford (Starke) – Jy’Quez Cason (JR)

Buchholz – Lucas Bhatia (JR), Peyton Warring (SR), Jamison McTureous (JR)

Columbia (Lake City) – Zamarion Jones (SR), Jalen Gaskins (SR)

Eastside – Jai’Vion Williams (SO)

Gainesville – Craig Thomas (JR), Willie Brooks (SO)

Keystone Heights – Michael Petty (SR), Dereon Tochterman (JR)

Newberry – Collin Dunmore (SR), Jacob Green (SR), Kaleb Woods (JR)

Santa Fe (Alachua) – Kewan Hall (SR), Camden McLeod (SR), Cedric Collins (SR)